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a fine and rare circular gold-lined tortoiseshell box mounted on the cover with a large miniature in watercolour of an eye, the gold lining inscribed on the underside 'Always be the Swell' within star and garter badge of the Coldstream Guards further engraved with the regimental motto: NULLI SECUNDUS, along with a series of nicknames:

Prince Pancration, Baron Mecklenburgh
Prince Eugene, Young Baron Ferdinand
Baron Shaufenhausen, We think he is the swell
Baron Dunamaise, Lauriat Landers
The Swell, Surgeon Gl Dunahoe
Gustavus Adolphus, Baron Soper
Baron Richard 1st Coeur de Lion, Baron Multum in parvo
Baron Brandenburgh, He is the Swell
Old Burger Steinbach is the Swell, Treasurer Fostenburgh

In original red morocco leather case,

Diameter of box approx: 95mm / 3 3/4 inches.

With note of provenance from Sir Benjamin Chapman Browne (1839–1917):

"April 10th 1902
Nunnykirk
Morpeth

As regards the round snuff box with an eye on the top. I remember it came from Dawlish when Captain Chapman died in 1850. I think I understood from my father that it belonged to the mess of the 9th Light Dragoons (Lancers). I think Captain Chapman dined with them after he had left the regiment, & the box appearing he was able to explain the various nicknames & jokes engraved on the lid so they gave it to him as a present. At the division of Capt Chapman’s effects it came to my father as an old 9th Lancer, and at his death my mother gave it to his [?] brother C.W. Orde who knew a little about it. I fear all personal history beyond this lost.

Benjamin C. Browne

NB When I say it belonged to the Mess it may have belonged to some member[?/officer?] of the regiment, but it seems to have appeared at Mess, and hence it came to Capt Chapman.’

FURTHER NOTES

Sir Benjamin Chapman Browne (1839–1917), civil engineer and shipbuilder, and industrial relations pioneer.

Captain Benjamin Chapman (c.1769-1850), Paymaster 9th Light Dragoons from August 1803 until 1819. He served with Wellington’s Peninsula Army from September 1812 to April 1813, being present at the action of Alba de Tormes. He also served in the Walcheren Campaign of 1809. Buried at Dawlish.
The NULLI SECUNDUS box is mentioned in his will, proved at Canterbury 24 July 1850, as the ‘tortoisehell snuff box lined with gold voted to me by the regimental mess’,

Colonel Benjamin Chapman Browne (1799-1853) (Will proved 1853) of the 9th Lancers and later of the Gloucestershire Yeomanry. He was a nephew and legatee of Capt. Benj. Chapman. He m. in 1832, Mary Anne Lloyd, née Baker, of Hardwicke Court, Gloucestershire. He died suddenly , at Nunnykirk in 1853.

Charles William Orde (1810-1875) of Nunnykirk Hall, nephew and legatee of Captain Benjamin Chapman.

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